Purified in God's Love
The sermon emphasizes the importance of being purified by God's love, reflecting the Image of Christ, and being removed from the furnace of sin.
Mary Wilder Tileston, through the analogy of refining silver and gold, emphasizes the meticulous process of purification that God undertakes in our lives. Just as a refiner carefully watches the metal until it reflects his image like a mirror, Jesus, as the Refiner, attentively oversees the purification of our souls on earth. The fire of trials and challenges separates the pure metal of holiness from the dross of sin within us, with Jesus eagerly awaiting the moment when the purifying work is complete. The ultimate goal of this refining process is for the Image of Christ to be fully reflected in us, signifying the completion of our purification. Tileston encourages us to lift our eyes amidst the flames and behold Jesus' compassionate gaze, filled with tender pity and intense love.
Text
I will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried.
ZECHARIAH 13:9
AS the purifying process is carried on, "the refiner watches the operation, with the greatest earnestness, until the metal has the appearance of a highly polished mirror, reflecting every object around it: even the refiner, as he looks upon the mass of metal, may see himself as in a looking-glass, and thus he can form a very correct judgment respecting the purity of the metal. When he is satisfied, the fire is withdrawn, and the metal removed from the furnace." See Jesus, as the Refiner, watching "with the greatest earnestness" the purifying of thy soul in the furnace of earth. His hand has lighted the fire which is now separating the pure metal of holiness from the dross of sin in thee. His loving eye is ever eagerly watching for the moment when the purifying work is done. Then, without a moment's delay, He withdraws the fire, and the purified soul is removed from the furnace. See, again, when it is that the purification is completed; it is when the Image of Christ is reflected in us, so that He can see Himself in us as in a mirror. Raise your eyes, then, amidst the flames, and see the Face of Jesus watching you with the tender pity and intense interest of His love.
GEORGE BODY
Sermon Outline
- The Refiner's Process
- The Refiner watches the operation with great earnestness
- The fire separates the pure metal of holiness from the dross of sin
- The purification is completed when the Image of Christ is reflected in us
Key Quotes
“See Jesus, as the Refiner, watching 'with the greatest earnestness' the purifying of thy soul in the furnace of earth.” — Mary Wilder Tileston
“Raise your eyes, then, amidst the flames, and see the Face of Jesus watching you with the tender pity and intense interest of His love.” — Mary Wilder Tileston
Application Points
- We should trust in God's love and allow Him to purify our souls.
- We should seek to reflect the Image of Christ in our lives.
- We should have faith that God will complete the purification process in us.